Soviet Union or World Population?

[jadechow]

Ok friends, so it would appear that I need 3 more UL social sciences credits to make the nice folks at EC happy. This is after I "bang out" the Civil War in 2 weeks. Yikes!!

So I am considering 1 of the two exams above. Does anyone have any thoughts on the level of difficulty or other comparisons for these two? I went through the exam feedback and frankly, the Soviet Union looks like a bear. However, I am also not excited about trying to schedule a "quick" test at a Pearson Vue testing center to take the ECE after hearing so many horror stories from other IC members. And, the ECE will cost over $300 (with the practice test) vs $100 for the Dantes.

Aaaaahhhhh! I thought I was down to my last 2 tests. My brain is full and hurts! :nopity: Oh well. I can do this, right? It's just 1 more thing. Not the end of the world. Unless I fail it of course and then it is.

Thanks for any insight,
Kelly

[Sunshine]

Congrats on being down to your final three exams! I totally agree with your assessment. My experience with them was the same- Rise & Fall of the USSR was more difficult, less expensive, and had more scheduling flexibility. World Pop was easier, more expensive, and tougher to schedule.

I live in the Denver area where we have two Pearson centers. I scheduled two ECEs, and both had to be scheduled 3 weeks in advance, although there were 1 or 2 openings before then (my schedule didn't allow for them). If you are trying to meet a deadline, this might be a consideration.

What you choose depends on your priorities- do you want an exam that will be "easier" at this late stage, or do you want to save some $ with the DSST? Rise & Fall is very doable with IC and feedback, though it will require more study time and memorization.

Personally, I found Rise & Fall to be really interesting, so I enjoyed studying for it. Also, I really didn't enjoy testing at Pearson for the ECEs. As someone else posted once, it's like checking into a detention center. Plus, I found ECEs to have trickier wording than DSSTs or CLEPs. Whatever you decide, you'll be doing the happy dance in no time!

[markh2]

If cost is not a factor, do yourself a favor and take WP.

[Ruddigore]

Rise and Fall of the Soveit Union just sounds cooler than World Populations. It also has far less possibility of the "Oh no, there are too many people: we're all going to die!" (something that would drive me absolutely nuts). Besides, I'm planning (IIRC) to take R&F of the Soviet Union as some UL credit; you should experience my pain too. milelol:

[jadechow]

Rise and Fall of the Soveit Union just sounds cooler than World Populations. It also has far less possibility of the "Oh no, there are too many people: we're all going to die!" (something that would drive me absolutely nuts). Besides, I'm planning (IIRC) to take R&F of the Soviet Union as some UL credit; you should experience my pain too. milelol:

Dude, haven't you and I shared enough mutual pain by now? hilarious Just kidding - you know there is no one I'd rather go through the anguish and pain of the Soviet Union with than you, my dear buddy.

I am really torn between these two tests! Although the exam feedback seems to indicate that World Pop is easier, I've never taken an ECE before and am nervous about the format, wording of questions, etc. Plus, if they are anything like the 2 TECEPs I've taken so far - all I can say is Wowza! TECEPs have to be the most poorly worded, ambiguous tests it has ever been my misfortune to have to power through. And I've taken a lot of tests!

I have to complete the Civil War and 1 other UL test before the April 23rd EC deadline for the June graduation. So, I guess I'd better check out Pearson testing dates to see if it's even feasible. I hate cramming for tests in such a short period of time. I like to be more thorough than this schedule will allow me to be. Hey, I'm old and slow and move at a glacial pace. What can I say?

[Basket Weaver]

Not being a history buff, I recommend WP. I was able to pass it with just self study before there were IC cards. Be sure to look at the specific feedback section for info on each test and what to expect; only you will know which one is going to be the best fit. Good Luck!

[sc1]

Hi, Kelly! I just finished taking Rise and Fall of the Soviet Union and just started studying for World population as it's next on my list. Here's what I've found:

The Rise and Fall exam was tough! Far tougher than Civil War. I really enjoyed both the Civil War and World Conflicts, but the Soviet Union stuff I found incredibly tedious and all the names blended together for me. I've taken a lot of exams that were of this format: A. I, II and IV, B. I, III, IV, V, C. II, III, V, etc, etc., but those types of answers were more prevalent on this exam and more confusing.

The ECE tests are only really significantly more challenging to study for, in my opinion, if you don't opt to get the ECE materials and you're hunting around for stuff to study on your own. But in this case, World pop is one of the few ECEs offered on IC flashcards. I think that's going to be a huge help for focusing your studies and will make for a fast, easy exam (comparatively speaking!).

All that being said, I studied for less than a week for the Rise and Fall exam and still made an A. The cost and trouble of ECEs exams would put me off too. A good thing to consider in deciding may be how you do on those "I, III, IV; or III, IV, V" kind of exams- some people really hate them. As a fairly strong test taker (Or guesser rather. :p ) I'd be inclined to the DSST, but ymmv.

Either way, you're almost there. Hang in there!!!

[jadechow]

Hi sc1,
Thanks so much for the terrific info!! It's really helpful. What are the odds that I'd be torn between the 2 tests that you just finished/currently in process of studying for? How is the studying for World Pop going?

I am leaning toward World Pop because after looking at the exam specific feedback again, the Soviet Union exam just looks awful! How did you ever score an A with less than a weeks study? You must be an awesome tester!